Sister Mary Clarone Lucius, 1911-2013

Nun focused on religious education

4/30/2013

Sister Mary Clarone Lucius, a Notre Dame nun who was a former assistant director of the Provincial Center and taught at the order’s college branch, died Saturday in the Ursuline Center on Indian Road.

Sister Clarone turned 102 on April 23 and a party was held in the center that was attended by Notre Dame and Ursuline sisters who live there.

Her friend, Sister Mary Patricia Snyder said she went from table to table in a wheelchair to personally give thanks to everyone in the room.

“She was a delightful and a gracious woman. She was lucid to the end. She was always that way. Just a grace-filled person,” said Sister Mary Patricia, who did not know the cause of death.

She was given the name Leona by her parents, Charles and Susanna Lucius. She was the oldest of nine children. She grew up in Delphos, Ohio, in Allen County, where she attended St. John’s High School.

While a student, she became interested in religious vocations through Sister Mary Theresa O’Neill, a Notre Dame nun who mentored her, Sister Mary Patricia said.

After entering the community of the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1929, where she received the name Sister Mary Clarone, she pursued a degree in education from the former DeSales College. She later received a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary’s College, South Bend, Ind., and completed post-graduate studies in philosophy at the Catholic University of America.

After professing her final vows in 1939, she began her teaching career with the order at St. Paul’s Grade School, Norwalk, Ohio, teaching religion and other subjects.

From 1941 to 1964, she taught at Notre Dame Academy on West Bancroft Street and was the school’s director of aspirants. She also taught part-time at the order’s branch campus in the Toledo Provincial Center on Secor Road.

She was the assistant director of the Provincial Center from 1964 to 1976. She also held the position of director of formation, guiding the sisters who were beginning their religious life with the order.

“She was the spiritual guide to the young sisters,” Sister Mary Patricia said.

She stepped down as assistant director in 1976.

Prior to living in the Ursuline Center, Sister Clarone lived at the Rosary Care Center in Sylvania.

Sister Mary Patricia said her friend was an avid reader and kept up on current events, often talking to other sisters about global news.

Surviving is her sister, Virginia Caldwell.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Toledo Provincial Center, Secor Road. A sharing of memories service will begin at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Provincial Center Chapel. The Urbanski Funeral Home, 5055 Secor Rd., is handling arrangements. Tributes are suggested to the Sisters of Notre Dame.